Perfect spring day

What a gorgeous day! It was the perfect day to spend outside in nature. We met other adoptive family friends at the Chinese gardens. This was our first time in the gardens and they were amazing. It is fascinating how much can be fit into one square city block. It felt like another world. Wink said that Chinese gardens often create the illusion of large gardens within a confined space. The main area of the gardens twists and turns around a curvy pond with bridges. But off to the side are several smaller gardens with their own distinctive feel including different walkway patterns, flora, and architecture.

After a spending a (short) time in the gardens we walked to Dim Sum. It has been a very long time since I last had Dim Sum. The food overall was good and the experience of watching two year olds attempt to eat with chopsticks was priceless. :) I noted that this was my first Dim Sum experience in which the majority of the restaurant patrons were not Asian.

On the way back from downtown we stopped by Wink's school for their annual tree and shrub sale. We inevitably buy from this sale. I never would have guessed this growing up, but I am a sucker for a deal on a tree. Who'd have thought?! This year we ended up with three shrubs (2 hibiscus, 1 burning bush), and a peach tree. It is going to be quite a task to plant these. The peach tree is already 8 years old and was delivered to our house via a digger (a huge plus for Cal). It was carried into the backyard by 3 men. In the process of lifting it over the picket fence, part of the fence tips were broken- that is how heavy this tree is. I'm nervous about how we will dig a big enough hole and place it inside with the strengh of two adults, Super Cal, and a baby.

I was able to spend the next 3 hours outside pruning and weeding. I still have so much to do, but the yard is looking better and better. I never knew that I'd like yard work as much as I do. However, I really wish our yard was about half the size that it is. There is never an end to the work that must be done because of the sheer size of the yards. Our trees are in full bloom and the cherry blossoms and dogwood flowers are incredible. I love the spring here. When we are ready to sell this house, we must put it on the market in the spring. Who could resist a home with these flowering trees?